NIGEL EDGINGTON SENTENCED IN ABINGDON FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

In December 2012, a significant case involving a former employee of an Oxford University college culminated in a sentencing that drew considerable attention. Nigel Edgington, a 64-year-old man residing on Crosslands Drive in Abingdon, was found guilty of possessing and creating a large collection of indecent images of children. The court proceedings revealed that Edgington had been involved in these activities over a span of five years, from 2006 to 2011, during which he made more than 2,000 such images.

Edgington’s employment history included working as a porter at St Antony’s College, located on Woodstock Road. His role at the college was scrutinized during the investigation, which uncovered evidence of his involvement in the creation and storage of illegal material. Following his conviction, he was sentenced to nine months in prison and was also mandated to register as a sex offender, a measure that underscores the severity of his crimes.

The sentencing took place at Oxford Crown Court, where Judge Mary Jane Mowat delivered her verdict. In her remarks, she characterized Edgington as someone who, while not a hoarder, appeared to be a compulsive viewer of child pornography over an extended period. The judge also highlighted a disturbing aspect of the case: Edgington had previously been cautioned in 2005 for a sexual assault involving a boy under the age of 13, raising concerns about his ongoing predatory behavior.

The court was informed that the incriminating images were discovered on computers located both at Edgington’s home and at his workplace, indicating the extent of his activities and the potential risk posed to children. During the proceedings, Graham Bennett, representing Edgington, stated that the majority of the images had been deleted, suggesting some level of remorse or attempt to conceal the material. Despite this, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him.

At the time of his arrest on June 5 of the previous year, Edgington was unemployed. His case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable children from online threats and abuse.